Master and the Master Plan

The intention of this article is to posit three basic and simple ways for a congregational member to engage effectively in developing the profile, and effectiveness of ministries in their churches.  So far, I have submitted that the universality of the gospel and the acceptance of people of various ethnic backgrounds presented and preserved in the  account of the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12) should be a biblical basis and model for congregational development.  I have also postulated that obedience to Jesus’ commandment to love others as he has loved us, will liberate and empower the adherents to create an environment of respect, acceptance and unconditional love.  In the last article, I surmised that Keeping Christ in the Centre of all ministries and encouraging the faithful to employ their gifts in an appropriate and productive ministry will certainly involve people and consequently will bring forth results in the congregations.  In this article, I am intending to share with you some thoughts on the Master and His Plan for the church.

The Lord and Master of the Church is Jesus, the Son of God.  The gospels are an account of the life, teachings, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Luke 5:1-11 is an account of Jesus calling his first disciples.  Luke along with Mark and Matthew remembered Jesus calling his disciples with an assurance and commandment to be the fishers of people.  In other words: to be the missionaries, disciples, apostles and messengers of Jesus to the people of the region.  In the subsequent passages particularly Luke 9:1-6 (Jesus commissions the twelve) and Luke 10:1-12 (Jesus sending seventy disciples in pairs), to various towns to proclaim the kingdom of God through their actions and words.  The disciples obeyed the Master’s commandment and assumed it to be the Master Plan for the mission and ministry of the church.  The Acts of the Apostles, the second book of Luke, gives a vivid and detailed account of the missionary movements of the early church, under the leadership of the apostles, and the results of their efforts, which were, no doubt, the direct result of the work and the grace of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  The Acts of the Apostles also underscores and accentuates the imagination and concern of the disciples and the early church for their members.  They had a common purse, they addressed the physical needs and wants of one another; they were diligent in praying for one another and were open, available and willing to travel with one another to proclaim the gospel in different parts of the world.  The above examples portray a community concerned for one another and willing to lay aside personal and individual wealth, possessions and ideologies for the obedience to the Master plan and the common good of the church.  Three lessons to be learned from the example of the apostles are: First. Jesus is the Lord and the Master of the church.  Second, the Master plan is to proclaim the kingdom of God to the world.  Third, execution and obedience of the Master Plan demands and expects creativity, imagination and concern for the members of the community.

The following are the three simple measures for the active members of the congregations to consider and implement as presuppositions for congregational development. 

First: to have an acute understanding of the demographics of the community.   This is extremely important, as it will dispel the myths and assumptions and will give a clear and realistic expectation to the members.  It is important to carefully evaluate the demographics of the congregation, i.e., the faithful members of the congregation and then the lapsed members.  This will accentuate the age groups, ministries, social activities, social issues, needs, expectations of the members of the congregation.  It can be achieved through a door to door parish census.  The questionnaire or form for the survey should include some pointed questions such as their specific interest, talents, ministry, and expectation(s) from the church.  The careful study and gleaning of the questionnaire will not only accentuate the new initiatives, if any, for the congregations but will also furnish them with an inventory of the gifts and talents of the persons in their pews.

The second step is the commitment of the active leadership of the church to let go of their pride, control, and preferences.  It simply means and implies the letting go of one’s control on the liturgy, ministry, fellowship and future directions of the church.  It will not only liberate and rescue the congregation from their comfortable pew but will also transform them to be daring, adventurous, risk taking and trusting of the movement of the Holy Spirit to perpetuate hope and expectation of new growth, vision and mission.

Third: to utilize all meanings of communication to spread the word around about the ministries and new initiatives of the congregation.  The age of communication and technology has blessed humanity with several tools to communicate with one another.  However, the most efficient and effective is the personal invitation.  Therefore, after all is said and done through every conceivable form of communication, feel free to personally invite another person to take part in the ministries of the church.  It could very well start with an engagement and participation in a project or a committee of a parish and with time translate into a regular attendance at the worship service.  The key is to meet the person where he or she is without judgement and to create a place for them in a church.

Another fundamental element of congregational development is patience, because it is long process, to be persistent in efforts to invite and encourage others and to be loyal to the Master and the Master Plan.